Press Release

New Quilt Exhibit and “The History of Quilts” Presentation Scheduled at Sod House Museum

ALINE, Okla. — The Sod House Museum offers a new quilt exhibit featuring 25 quilts from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries. By this time quilts were not only needed for mere warmth, but also for quilt makers to express their creativity. Quilting allowed women of the community to come together and socialize. Today, contemporary fabrics allow quilters to incorporate rich colors and still use the historical patterns that have been handed down for generations.

Martha Ray, retired director of historic homes for the Oklahoma Historical Society, will present a lecture entitled “The History of Quilts” at the Sod House Museum on May 20, 2017, from 10 a.m. to noon. Ray will present an overview of how the need for a warm covering was motivation for women of all ages and time periods to create quilts, coverlets and other bed coverings. Many of these creations became works of art. Archaeologists have found quilted textiles in burial sites dating back many thousands of years. It would seem that every culture needing protection from the cold discovered the benefits of layers of cloth sewn together to provide an insulating covering. In every case, not only was the example utilitarian, but some attempt at artistry was also present. It appears that the surface of a quilted article was already recognized as a surface to be adorned.

Ray will draw attention to the new exhibit by discussing the history of the quilts on display, the evolution of the names of the quilts, the quilt patterns themselves, the fabrics used and the quilting process.

The Sod House Museum, a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society, is open Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and is located southeast of Aline on State Highway 8. For more information contact Director Renee Trindle at 580-463-2441 or sodhouse@okhistory.org. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.